Executive Director

Dr. Kirsten Abernethy is a social scientist, researcher and educator with over 20 years’ experience working with coastal and seafaring communities across Australia, the UK, and the Pacific. Her work is grounded in feminist values, and her research and advocacy has been centred upon worker’s rights, looking deeply at the experiences of women, a demographic often underrepresented. Kirsten has led major research and sector-wide programs focused on women’s leadership, workplace inclusion and systemic reform. In 2017, she won the VIC AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. In 2025 was appointed Executive Director of the Victorian Women’s Trust.

Chair

Nicky is the Director of Community Engagement at the law firm, Allens. Nicky is focused on leveraging the resources of the private legal profession to enable disadvantaged people to gain greater access to justice. Nicky has a background in social justice work and law. She has a long term association with the VWT, having been a volunteer and an employee before joining the board.

Deputy Chair

Leena van Deventer is an award-winning writer, game developer, and educator. She has taught interactive storytelling at both RMIT and Swinburne University. In 2016, Leena published her first book Game Changers: From Minecraft to Misogyny, the fight for the future of video games with Dr Dan Golding (Affirm Press).